Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Why Seoul firefighters trade fire scenes for fitness stages

"Let's go, Gangnam Fire Station!" Loud cheers rang out during the 15th annual Seoul firefighter fitness competition that was held Thursday at the Seoul Fire Academy in Eunpyeong District. The venue was filled with enthusiastic cheers from colleagues and family members for the 29 participating firefighters, who warmed up with dumbbells before taking the stage. Removing their uniform jackets, the participants took the stage and showcased their chiseled physiques built through rigorous, high-intensity training, reflecting their dedication to protecting the public. The event is more than a simple bodybuilding competition; it is designed to highlight the physical conditioning firefighters require to save lives in disaster zones. Top competitors are selected as models for a charity calendar. Now in its 12th year, the calendar project has raised approximately 1.25 billion won ($833,823) through sales and donations to fund medical treatments for 302 burn victims. Participants also spoke about their motivations. "I endured because I wanted to inspire public confidence, and it became an opportunity f

May 15, 2026By Hankookilbo

Why Seoul firefighters trade fire scenes for fitness stages

KTO selects 30 startups for open innovation program

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Friday that it has selected 30 startups for its 2026 Tourism Open Innovation program, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between nimble tech upstarts and the country’s established corporate titans. The announcement followed a kickoff event Wednesday at the Novotel Ambassador Seoul Gangnam, marking the start of a series of partnerships aimed at modernizing the nation’s travel infrastructure. The program functions as a matchmaker, pairing startups with large and mid-sized enterprises to develop pilot projects using the partners' vast resources. The selection process was notably competitive, with 302 companies vying for spots — a 10-to-1 ratio that highlights a growing appetite for digital transformation within the sector. Of the 30 finalists, 10 are specialized in artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting a strategic shift toward automated and hyper-personalized travel experiences. Under the initiative, the KTO will provide each startup with up to 100 million won ($73,000) in pilot funding, supplemented by specialized consulting and dir

May 15, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

KTO selects 30 startups for open innovation program

King Sejong Institute Foundation to hold worldwide Korean language contest

The King Sejong Institute Foundation, tasked with promoting Korean language and culture abroad, will host preliminary rounds for two international competitions through June, the state-run organization said Thursday. The initiative coincides with the May 15 birthday of King Sejong, the 15th-century monarch credited with the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. The 2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Language Speaking and Writing Competition, now entering its 17th year, will challenge participants to articulate their motivations for learning the language and its practical role in their daily lives. In an expansion of its outreach, the foundation has also inaugurated the 2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Culture Competition. This new program invites students to showcase talents in three specific categories: pop dance, traditional music and traditional dance. Applications for both individual and group entries are being coordinated through local institutes worldwide. Beyond the internal prestige of the awards, the competitions serve as a primary pipeline for the foundation’s broader edu

May 15, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

King Sejong Institute Foundation to hold worldwide Korean language contest

RISD president underscores human core of creativity in AI era

Crystal Williams, president of Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), underscored the enduring role of art and design in defining human identity in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), stressing that creativity remains rooted in human emotion and cultural expression. “Art-making, creativity and design are fundamental to defining our humanity, shaping how we connect ideas, emotions, histories and cultures,” Williams said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. While describing AI as a powerful tool, she noted its limitations, saying it can be harnessed with care and consideration but cannot independently generate human emotion or nuance. Founded in 1877, RISD has long positioned itself as a pioneer in art and design education. Emphasizing its legacy of challenging conventions, Williams said the institution was built on the belief that art and design are essential to society and continue to shape new generations of creative leaders. She also pointed to the broad societal impact of the school's global alumni network, which includes more than 33,000 graduates working across discip

May 15, 2026By Jung Da-hyun

RISD president underscores human core of creativity in AI era

Busan’s veteran cab drivers reveal port city’s best-kept culinary secrets

In a city shaped by winding mountain roads and coastal alleys, the most reliable restaurant recommendations don’t come from critics, but from the men and women who drive the streets for a living. Busan Metropolitan City announced Thursday the return of the 11th Busan Old Town Activation Festival, aptly dubbed "Taxchelin" — a portmanteau of "taxi" and "Michelin." Running from May 22-24, the festival celebrates the authentic local flavors endorsed by veteran cab drivers with more than a decade of experience. This year, the event expands its geographic footprint beyond the historic districts of Jung District, Seo District, Dong District and Yeongdo District to include the southern reaches of Nam District. The festivities will kick off on the evening of May 22 at Busan Station Square with an opening ceremony that bridges the gap between heritage and haute cuisine. The highlight of the evening will be the unveiling of a collaboration between Sinbalwon — a century-old dumpling house in Busan’s Chinatown — and Chef Park Ki-seop of the Michelin-recognized Sogongan Dining. Together, th

May 14, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Busan’s veteran cab drivers reveal port city’s best-kept culinary secrets

Spring harvest takes center stage at Gwanghwamun Square

A vibrant forest has momentarily taken root in Gwanghwamun Square at the heart of the capital. The Korea Forest Service and the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute launched the 2026 Forest Food Festival earlier this week, transforming the historic square into a sprawling marketplace for the nation’s seasonal mountain delicacies. The event serves as the physical centerpiece of a monthlong campaign to promote the culinary and medicinal value of Korea’s forest products. As spring reaches its peak, the festival offers urbanites a rare chance to source premium wild mountain herbs directly from the growers who cultivate them. The opening ceremony featured an unlikely culinary duo: Park Eun-sik, administrator of the Korea Forest Service, and Cho Hee-sook, the esteemed chef often hailed as the "Godmother of Hansik" (traditional Korean cuisine). Together, they led a demonstration showcasing the health benefits and gastronomic potential of forest-grown ingredients. Attendees were treated to tastings of modernized Korean dishes featuring foraged mountain greens, elevated from rustic mountain st

May 14, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Spring harvest takes center stage at Gwanghwamun Square

Seoul's Lotus Lantern Festival set for May 16-17 with major road closures

The 2026 Lotus Lantern Festival, called Yeondeunghoe in Korean, will be held Saturday and Sunday in the Jogye Temple, Ujeongguk-ro and Jongno areas of central Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday. The festival traces its origins to the Unified Silla period (676-935) and was designated Korea's National Intangible Heritage No. 122 in 2012, before receiving UNESCO recognition in 2020 and being inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is organized annually by the Yeondeunghoe Preservation Committee, which also runs traditional lantern-making workshops and international academic conferences. The centerpiece of this year's festival is the Lotus Lantern Parade on Saturday evening, where more than 60 organizations and roughly 20,000 participants will march from Dongguk University through Heunginjimun gate and Jongno to Jogye Temple from 7-9:30 p.m. Following the parade, a communal celebration will run from 9:30-11 p.m. at Jongak intersection, featuring ganggangsullae (circle dancing), music performances and a "flower rain" finale. On Sunday, a tradi

May 13, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Seoul's Lotus Lantern Festival set for May 16-17 with major road closures

Seoul to turn Han River into massive, low-stakes triathlon playground

The Han River is traditionally a place for picnics or weekend strolls, but next month, a stretch of its waters will be transformed into a sprawling, low-stakes obstacle course designed to prove that anyone can be a triathlete. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Wednesday that the third annual "MY PACE" Hangang Triathlon Festival will return to Ttukseom Hangang Park from June 5 to 7. Unlike the grueling, clock-watching spectacles typically associated with the sport, this three-day event is built on the premise that speed is secondary to simply showing up. Participants are encouraged to swim, cycle, and run through the course at their own speed, stripping away the pressure of rankings in favor of a collective finish line. The centerpiece of this year’s festival is "Haechi Island," a massive floating playground named after the city’s official mascot. The installation effectively turns a portion of the river into a water-bound carnival, featuring air-bounce attractions, water trampolines and a "slippery pole" challenge. For those less inclined to enter the water, the festival offer

May 13, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Seoul to turn Han River into massive, low-stakes triathlon playground

Lee Gi-woo named new Asia Journalist Association chairperson

The Asia Journalist Association (AJA) elected Lee Gi-woo, former vice education minister, as its seventh chairperson. Lee also previously served as president of JEI University in Incheon, chairman of the Korean Teachers' Credit Union and CEO of Gyeongin Broadcasting. The AJA elected Lee at a special board meeting on May 4 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul. The meeting was attended by former chairperson Koo Bon-hong, former lawmaker Bae Gi-seon, Heart-to-Heart Foundation Chairperson Oh Jee-chul, Anglican Bishop Paul Kim Geun-sang and Yeongwol Media Journalist Museum Director Koh Myung-jin, among others. The board also discussed plans to establish an Asia Press Center, measures to strengthen the association's Asia-wide network and efforts to restore its status as a designated donation recipient organization. The AJA was founded in 2004 by journalists across Asia.

May 13, 2026By Kwon Mee-yoo

Lee Gi-woo named new Asia Journalist Association chairperson

Navy’s first female command sergeant major chose warships over cherry blossoms

At the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, most visitors come for the cherry blossoms. When Hwang Ji-hyun visited in her early 20s, the gray warships moored along the coast caught her eye more than the flowers. "I was drawn to the warship and even had a chance to look inside," Master Chief Petty Officer Hwang recalled during an interview with The Korea Times. "That was when I decided I wanted to become a sailor serving aboard ships." Nearly two decades later, Hwang, now 44, became the first female command sergeant major in the history of the Korean Navy. The draw to military life had roots even earlier, influenced in part by her family’s military background. Her father served as a noncommissioned officer in the Navy, while her uncle graduated from the Naval Academy. She enlisted as part of the Navy’s 211th noncommissioned officer class in 2006 and officially assumed her new post last month at the Maritime Operations Center under the Navy Operations Command. Along the way, she accumulated a series of firsts, including becoming the Navy’s first female tra

May 13, 2026By Bahk Eun-ji

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